This story originally appeared in Yale Environment 360. It is now available here as part the Climate Desk collaboration.Pamela Lonolngenjes' family, like their Samburu ancestors back to the 15th Century, has literally been on the move for hundreds and even thousands of years. The family was one of a few semi-nomadic tribes that lived in northern Kenya's drylands. They moved around for years to find water and grazing ground for their goats, which were their main source of income.Land conflicts, fatal cattle disputes with neighbouring tribes, and drier and more drought-prone climate change conditions forced the family to sell their livestock eight years ago and to move into the Kirisia forest nearby, which is a vital ecosystem for local communities during dry seasons. The family's only source of income was charcoal making, which required them to collect and burn firewood. This cost them $9 per week. The government cracked down on illegal logging in the forest, which covers 226,000 acres, rendered it unprofitable.Samburu women with their children walk near Kirisia forest. Jane Klonsky/Courtesy BOMA ProjectLonolngenje protects trees that she would have otherwise cut. Lonolngenje is one of 550 Samburu women who have been assigned by the government to protect a large area of dense mountainous forest at 7,000 feet elevation. It receives around two feet of rainfall annually. Kirisia, which is surrounded on all sides by barren, parched land and the occasional scraggly trees, is the only reliable source of water for the 150,000 residents of the area.Lonolngenje, a part of an unusual climate adaptation program that helps Samburu women who were once marginalized earn money and manage a valuable natural resource as climate change impacts the environment. They are planting trees instead of cutting down trees. They enter the forest in groups so that everyone is following strict stewardship rules. They are also members of the highest levels of the forest management organization.I'm really happy to be outside of the forest. Lonolngenje (a 30-year-old mother with four children), lives near the forest and operates a small food stand along with two other Samburu women. Although she still gathers firewood from the forest twice per week, she uses only wood from fallen trees. I no longer cut trees down.I no longer cut trees down.Lonolngenje's new stewardship responsibilities form part of a larger shift in gender roles in northern Kenya, and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa. Women are now being forced to work and earn money as traditional livelihoods such as livestock raising have become less viable. Samburu men often leave their homes to seek pasture or new jobs in cities, as they are increasingly vulnerable to worsening droughts. This leaves women to manage the household and earn enough money to support themselves in the absence of their husbands.Some women are finding their opportunities enhanced by governments' willingness to allow local communities to manage their natural resources. This strategy is supported by studies that show they are better custodians. This is especially true in Kenya where community groups play a major role in the management of large forests. This approach is also being adopted by other African countries, including Tanzania.These are positive shifts for advocates who are concerned about climate change's disproportionate effects on the poor and marginalized population, particularly women.It is putting power in their hand.Samburu women and their children often have the hardest time when climate change or other factors make their lives more difficult. Heather McGray, director at the Washington, D.C.-based Climate Justice Resilience Fund, (CJRF), helps to fund the forest project. As a climate adaptation model, this project is very exciting. They are putting power in their own hands.The BOMA Project is coordinating the project. This non-profit focuses on women empowerment in Africa's drylands. MacKenzie Scott donated $10 million to BOMA in June. Scott is a philanthropist who was previously married to Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Scott has donated $8 billion to hundreds of other organizations over the past eleven months.The most severe impacts of climate change are being felt in Northern Kenya and the 310,000 Samburu residents who live there. According to a 2018 Kenya climate profile, the average temperature in Kenya increased by 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit between 1985 and 2015. Higher temperatures were found in semi-arid areas in the north. Although overall precipitation levels are stable, the patterns of rainfall are drastically different. The annual rainy season is shorter and less reliable while the intense rain events are more common. Drought and extreme flooding are on the rise.Livestock herding is becoming more difficult due to hotter and drier conditions. David Duchemin/Courtesy BOMA ProjectThe hotter climate, coupled with the intense population growth and land pressures in this country are causing problems for northern Kenya's montane forests, also known as water towers, which can store water during the rainy season and slowly release it during dry seasons. Deforestation is one of the most serious problems.According to Sam Owilly (BOMAs Kenya director and climate adaptation expert), the forest's regenerative capacity has been affected by inconsistent precipitation patterns. Additional degradation can be caused by the more frequent droughts, which force people to seek shelter in forests.Kirisia lost 21 percent of its tree canopy between 1973 and 2015. The largest losses were to indigenous species such as red cedar and rare sandalwood, which are highly sought-after for building materials and firewood. A University of Nairobi study found that charcoal burning, illegal log logging and livestock foraging were the main factors behind forest loss.In the background, you can see a Samburu village at the edge of Kirisia forests. Jeff DeKock/Courtesy BOMA ProjectClimate change is also affecting the semi-arid areas of Kenya. According to a 2018 study, their numbers have declined by 26 percent over the past 30 year and almost 60 percent in northern Kenya.Mohammed Said, lead researcher on the report, stated that the underlying cause is an increase in temperatures and decreased rainfall.Lonolngenje did not need climate and forest coverage statistics to understand that traditional Samburus ways had to change. Not just semi-nomadic herding but also gender roles.Lonolngenje started looking for ways to earn money as her husband traveled further to find suitable grazing land. Lonolngenje had always wanted to be a teacher, but she abandoned that dream after her parents passed. She said that she already had children. She said that I was now responsible to look after my siblings.We were continually being chased out of the forest by rangers who constantly arrested us.She went into the forest to steal firewood and illegally burn charcoal. It didn't last. She said that the rangers kept us on the run and were constantly arresting us. It was hard to make a living.2019 was her breakthrough year. After being evicted from the forest by dozens of Samburu families, Lonolngenje was invited to join a BOMA women's empowerment program.Two other Samburu women were trained in running a small business. They also learned about marketing and financial planning. They opened a food stand in the town outside of the forest with a small business grant.BOMA Project's women empowerment program has enabled Samburu women to open food kiosks and start other small businesses. David Duchemin/Courtesy BOMA ProjectShe said that we were able to earn $530 in profits in just a few months. This is a significant amount in a region where most people make less than $2 per day.A year later, her second breakthrough was when the county government sought community groups to manage threatened ecosystems in northern Kenya. Lonolngenje was part of the Samburu County section that was chosen by the local government to protect Kirisia's Kirisia forest.A Community Forest Association, which has more than 550 Samburu women members, manages the forest. Women can only use the forest under strict guidelines outlined in a forest management program they created. The core guidelines include the following: They are not allowed to enter the forest without permission. Tree planting, which helps to restore forests' indigenous tree cover, is allowed. Beekeeping and medicinal gum resin harvesting are also permitted. They are also setting up tree nurseries in the forest to sell seedlings for private landowners.It is showing signs of success with a more decentralized approach to management. There are several indicators that indicate success: The forest is free from illegal Samburu residents; over 30,000 trees have been planted; and income-generating activities like beekeeping are increasing.Lonolngenje explained that there used to be a lot smoke from people making charcoal. Because so many people are watching, no one is actually burning charcoal.Douglas Leboyare (a Samburu elder) is the chair of the Community Forest Association. He said that hundreds of more Samburu women have joined the association, which is projected to reach 2,000 members by the end.Many Samburu women have joined the Community Forest Association to sustainably manage the forest that they depend on. David Duchemin/Courtesy BOMA ProjectLeboyare said that the government wasn't well-positioned to protect the forest as they had only five rangers. The community has made a huge difference.Samburu's initiative is part of a global shift that sees more African governments shifting responsibility for natural resource management to local governments and community organizations. Research has shown that community groups are better at taking care of local resources.Local conservation groups and Indigenous communities have teamed up to improve local wildlife conservation and increase their local populations in Namibia. Last year, Anabeb farmers agreed to cease raising cattle in their country. This was an important symbol of wealth in Africa. It also meant that more land would become available for fee-based wildlife hunting. This has more benefits for land conservation and generates more income for the locals. Rarer are women-led initiatives; the latest example is a first-ever all female anti-poaching unit, which successfully protects a hunting area of 115 miles in Zimbabwe.It has made a huge difference to have the community in control.These community-led initiatives have been led by Kenya's government. The government's 2010 constitution officially recognizes the rights of local users groups and community resource plans. Along with 50 other countries it has committed to preserving at least 30% of its lands by 2030. Greening Kenya is a key component of this effort. It calls for 10% tree cover by nationwide tree planting, and crackdown on illegal charcoal burn.Lonolngenje's life has changed dramatically since the Samburu adaptation project. Lonolngenje is now able to afford her children's school fees. She and her business partners also own a second business that sells sheep and goats.She said that protecting the forest does not mean we must give up our livelihoods. It is possible to make more money by caring for the land that is our home.
